Oprah Winfrey calls for an end to puppy mills.

Oprah Winfrey recently did an expose on puppy mills in the USA and I was astonished to find out that that there are so many in that country. A puppy or kitten mill is usually a "backyard breeder who breeds hundreds of puppies or kittens every year solely to make money. Unfortunately we also have such unscrupulous breeders in SA. The public should be warned nor to buy from such individuals as they seldom have the welfare and interest of the breed or animal at heart.


Martin Plummer


Port Elizabeth

LETTER OF THE MONTH

A CALL TO END CRUELTY
Your recent editor,s note about cruelty to animals refers. I have also been thinking about the reasons why some people are cruel and throughout history it has been showed that humankind has always had the tendency to be cruel and un-humane to animals. This I think is due to the fact that they are defenseless. There are many people in SA today who do not have jobs and therefore nothing else to do!

Through the centuries much cruelty took place -- people killed animals with no regard for the animal's welfare, it reminds me of a cruel and barbaric practice called  "pate' de foie gras' that still persists in the world today whereby geese are force fed to the point of death at which point the liver is removed and prepared into a paste or spread. Another recent example of man's cruelty to animals is where horses were used in warfare and whose bodies lay strewn across many battlefields and what about the many laboratory animals that die horrible deaths in their service to fickle man.

I think that in every human being there is that something that can trigger cruelty. Please let us stop the cruelty and lead our youth, the leaders of tomorrow to an animal friendly and caring consciousness.

Peet van Zyl'
Alberton

Saving Our Furry Friends through Pet Adoptions

Did you know that in pet adoptions centers, animals have an expiration date? The staff of animal shelters put animals to sleep after a specified duration of time, if they don’t get adopted. We really can’t blame the shelters for this; it is a legal though upsetting procedure they have to carry out.

There are a few reasons why animals must be put to sleep when no one adopts them:

* One of the most common problems in animal shelters is the lack of space. Stray or abandoned animals are sheltered for a specific number of days before they can be put into an adoption program or, sadly, put to sleep. This gives the owners of the animals ample time to find and reclaim their furry friends. Remember that during the holding period of an animal, newer ones are continually being brought to the animal shelter.

* Not all of the animals brought to animal shelters are in good health and adoptable condition. Sometimes an animal is brought in that’s unwell and mentally unstable. Should the animal shelter’s staff deem the animal unfit to be helped or adopted, it is put to sleep right away.

* In some cases, an animal that has been in the animal shelter for too long may exhibit signs of stress. Behaviors such as agitation, anxiety, depression and aggression begin to appear, which is not typical for the animal. In the long run, if the animal does not get adopted, it becomes so mentally unsound that the staff of the animal shelter has to put it to sleep.

The pros of adopting from shelters:

The best way to prevent these animals in shelters from being put to sleep is by adopting them. Whether you are planning to own a dog, cat, ferrets or any other animal, you are not only saving their lives but you are also getting a loyal companion for yourself.

What makes adopting an animal from an animal shelter better, is that you will know exactly what you will be taking home with you. Our furry friends in animal shelters have been examined by veterinarians. This means that the animal you’ll be getting is up to date with its shots, and its medical condition is properly looked over. Animal shelters usually charge a fee for adoption, but it’s still a lot cheaper than buying a new one from pet stores. The degree of care and the service they had provided for the animal before you took over ownership is a completely unknown factor to you.

Taking your time in picking one:

Be sure to take your time looking around and choosing the healthiest looking animal you can find in the animal shelter. Look for one with ears and nose that are clean and free of mucous. The eyes should be bright and clear. Carefully inspect its coat and skin; look carefully for signs sores, bald spots or skin diseases. Also check the way they walk – they should not be limping, which gives away skeletal problems such as deformities and fractures.

Adopting an animal from pet adoptions centers means that you are willing to bestow time and dedication in taking care of your new furry friend. Remember that you will have other expenses besides the adoption charge itself. But all these are a small price to pay for saving the life of an animal and earning a loyal companion for the rest of its natural life.